Tinashe Announces New ‘Quantum Baby’ Album Set for August Release
Tinashe, the multi-talented American singer, songwriter, and actress, has announced the release of her highly anticipated seventh studio album, “Quantum Baby,” set to drop on August 16, 2024. This announcement follows the success of her sixth studio album, “BB/Ang3l,” which was released on September 8, 2023. “Quantum Baby” is expected to be a continuation of the themes and sounds explored in “BB/Ang3l,” promising fans an exciting new chapter in Tinashe’s musical journey.
### Background and Release
The journey to “Quantum Baby” began with the release of “BB/Ang3l,” an album that received critical acclaim for its raw emotion and personal touch. Tinashe worked closely with American producer Machinedrum on “BB/Ang3l,” which featured singles like “Talk to Me Nice,” “Needs,” and “Uh Huh.” The album was praised for its intimate and confident sound, with Pitchfork describing it as “as stylish and focused as a runway walk.”
In an interview with Nylon, Tinashe shared that “BB/Ang3l” was a deeply personal project. “This album has a very personal approach. It doesn’t feel performative or like there’s a lot of extras. It’s just really down to the raw emotion,” she said. On Good Morning America, she further elaborated, stating that the album “really represents who I am as a person right now, and everything I’ve been going through, and my life.”
The name “BB/Ang3l” was inspired by screen names and avatars, reflecting the idea of creating and controlling one’s persona online. This theme of self-creation and exploration is expected to continue in “Quantum Baby.”
### The Announcement of “Quantum Baby”
The announcement of “Quantum Baby” came on April 8, 2024, when Tinashe confirmed that the second part of the “BB/Ang3l” era would be released in August 2024. In an interview, she expressed her excitement about the new project, stating, “I have more things coming in the whole era, which is really exciting. And I think you know the part two is maybe coming in the spring.”
“Quantum Baby” is set to build on the success of “BB/Ang3l,” which was well-received by critics and fans alike. The album’s lead single, “Nasty,” has already made waves, achieving Tinashe’s first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100.
### Critical Reception of “BB/Ang3l”
“BB/Ang3l” received positive reviews from various music critics. Dylan Green of Pitchfork described the album as “potent” due to its sense of intimacy and Tinashe’s thriving confidence. Sam Franzini of The Line of Best Fit called it her strongest work, noting that even when Tinashe isn’t necessarily inventing anything new, there’s still a spark that makes the tracks hard to miss.
The album also made it to several year-end lists, with The Forty-Five ranking it among the best albums of 2023. Songs from the album, such as “Needs” and “Talk to Me Nice,” were also featured in year-end lists by The Fader, i-D Magazine, and Pitchfork.
### Promotion and Tour
To promote “BB/Ang3l,” Tinashe released several singles and accompanying music videos. The lead single, “Talk to Me Nice,” was released on July 21, 2023, with a music video directed by Bradley J. Calder. The second single, “Needs,” followed on August 18, 2023, with a music video directed by Sammy Rawal. The promotional single, “Uh Huh,” and its music video were released on September 8, 2023, alongside the album.
Tinashe also announced the BB/ANG3L Tour, initially planned as a co-headlining tour with Shygirl. However, due to Shygirl’s medical condition, the tour was restructured, and Tinashe embarked on her own tour, covering nine cities on the East Coast of the United States from January 31 to February 15, 2024. The second leg of the tour is set to take place in China from April 30 to May 5, 2024.
### Looking Ahead to “Quantum Baby”
With “Quantum Baby,” Tinashe aims to continue her exploration of personal themes and innovative sounds. The album is expected to feature collaborations with various producers, including JonnyMade, Kurzweil, Machinedrum, Nosaj Thing, Platinum Libraries, Royce David, Scoop DeVille, and Vladislav Delay.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of “Quantum Baby,” anticipating another collection of tracks that showcase Tinashe’s unique blend of alternative R&B, UK garage, and drum and bass. As Tinashe continues to evolve as an artist, “Quantum Baby” promises to be another milestone in her impressive career.
### Conclusion
Tinashe’s announcement of “Quantum Baby” has generated significant excitement among her fans and the music industry. Set for release on August 16, 2024, the album is expected to build on the success of “BB/Ang3l” and further establish Tinashe as a leading figure in contemporary R&B. With her unique sound, personal lyrics, and innovative production, “Quantum Baby” is poised to be one of the standout albums of 2024.
Source: Billboard, UPROXX, Nylon, Pitchfork, The Line of Best Fit, Good Morning America, The Forty-Five, The Fader, i-D Magazine